A/N: Greetings! Here's my first longer HP fic! I don't know exactly how long it's going to be yet as I haven't written it all! Anyway I hope you enjoy it and please review!

Mel xx

Man on a Mission

1: Letters from Hogwarts

A loud screech awakened James Potter from his daydreams. Muttering to himself about noisy owls, he held out his arm onto which his tawny owl, Bob, settled and offered his leg for James to take the letter attached.

Prongs,

Sure I'll meet you in Diagon Alley tomorrow – looking forward to it! Wormtail said he was busy and he'd see us on the train. Is Padfoot keeping you in check?

See you tomorrow,

Moony

James grinned to himself; he always enjoyed a trip to Diagon Alley much better if all the marauders were there. He stroked his owl affectionately and thought back to yesterday when the book lists had arrived for their seventh and final year at Hogwarts. Sirius was spending the weekend with him – probably more for his mother's cooking than the company of his best friend but James let that slide. Sirius had, after all, been living in his own little apartment that he bought at the end of sixth year and his culinary skills were distinctly lacking.

Sirius had been lying on his back on James' bed, lazily levitating a quaffle above him while James sat cross legged on the floor trying to decide whether writing to Lily would be a good idea or not.

"Padfoot, will you quit messing with that quaffle and give me some advice!" James pleaded.

"I'll give you some advice, Prongs." Replied Sirius, not taking his eyes off the quaffle, "Don't ask me for advice." He let out a short laugh and James glared at him.

"Seriously. I could just write to ask her how she is?"

"Prongs." Said Sirius, pronouncing his nick name as if it caused him great pain, "The girl will not appreciate you badgering her before you've even got back to Hogwarts. Trust me." He then gave a sort of half shrug, "Just turn on the charm when you see her."

"You're right."

"I knew that."

James rolled his eyes and turned his gaze towards the window where he could see two barn owls approaching.

"Hey, Padfoot, I think the book lists are finally here."

"Just tell me what's in them so I don't have to get up."

"You are so lazy." Remarked James as he heaved himself to his feet and relieved the two owls of their burdens. He threw Sirius his which was promptly ignored, before turning his attention to his own. He slit it open and turned it upside down so that the pieces of paper fell out onto his hand. Something else fluttered out though, and drifted to the floor. James put the book list on his chair and bent down to pick up the object. He stared at incredulously for a moment, his eyes wide.

"Any new books?" Sirius piped up.

James didn't reply, clutching the object in his left hand, he picked up the letter from Hogwarts and scanned it quickly before looking at the object in his hand once more.

"Prongs?" Said Sirius impatiently.

"Erm, Padfoot," began James nervously.

"What?"

"I think I've been made Head Boy."

"WHAT!" Sirius yelled, losing concentration and causing the quaffle to fall on his foot, "Ouch! Let me see!"

He scrambled off the bed and dashed to James' side where he snatched the Head Boy badge out of his hand and examined it closely as if to detect forgery.

James watched him, almost nervously anticipating his reaction. After a few moments of silence Sirius looked back up at his friend with a grim look on his face.

"I'm afraid it's true." He announced sombrely, "Your days of fun at Hogwarts are officially over."

"I can't believe this! Why would Dumbledore make me Head Boy?" James asked incredulously, "Is he mad?"

"Yes." Answered Sirius promptly, "but we knew that already."

"I was sure it'd be Moony." Mused James, ignoring Sirius and turning the badge over in his hands.

"Hey, Prongs." Said Sirius abruptly.

"What?"

"Are you still going to sneak out to Hogsmeade with us now you're Head Boy?"

"Of course." James had a mischievous glint in his eyes, "Wouldn't miss that for the world – nor out adventures at full moon either." He paused, "Might have to be a bit less open with the bragging about it though."

Sirius grinned, "As long as this doesn't change you too much."

"I'm still the same old James." He shook his head, "The motives of Dumbledore go beyond me sometimes."

"I've just had a thought." Said Sirius, looking thoughtful, "being Head Boy just might make Evans notice you."

"You think she doesn't notice me now?" James asked dryly.

"I mean in a good way. If she thinks – and may I put that large emphasis on thinks – you've stopped all that against school rules stuff to have some responsibility, she'll see you in a new light."

"You think so?"

"I know so."

"And being Head Boy might just prove to her that there's more to me than an insufferable jerk."

"Your words, not mine."

"Evans' actually." James smiled at the badge in his hand, "You have just become my new best friend."

"Hey!" Said Sirius loudly.